One of the Raunchiest & Most Violent Series of All-Time Is Making a Comeback on Digital Streaming

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Recently, a particularly wild and violent show has become popular online. Spartacus is known for its explicit content and brutality, but there’s another historical series that many are discovering is even better – and it’s packed with action and well-developed characters. As viewers start watching the new Spartacus: House of Ashur, more and more people are realizing just how good Black Sails is.

As a huge fan of pirate stories, I’ve been loving seeing the buzz around Black Sails lately. You can find it to buy digitally on Apple (formerly iTunes) and other streaming services, but it’s really taken off on Apple – it’s currently the second most popular TV show there, only behind Cowboy Bebop! It originally aired on Starz back in 2014 and ran for four seasons. What’s so cool about Black Sails is that it’s a prequel to Treasure Island – it follows Captain Flint as he struggles to protect New Providence Island when the British Navy declares all pirates enemies. It’s loosely based on real history, which makes it even more engaging. Here’s what the show is all about, according to the official description:

Okay, so picture this: it’s 1715 and I’m totally hooked on this story about Captain Flint trying to keep New Providence afloat. This island is basically a pirate’s dream – and nightmare – filled with everything you’d expect: pirates, trouble, and people chasing riches. He’s got the British and Spanish breathing down his neck, so he teams up with Eleanor Guthrie, whose dad basically runs the island. They’re after something big, something that’ll secure everyone’s future. But it’s not easy. Other pirate captains are causing problems, Eleanor’s father is a real pain, and then there’s this new guy, John Silver. He’s young, a bit of a smooth talker, and definitely doesn’t play by the rules – Flint just added him to the crew, and I have a feeling he’s going to be a major wild card!

Robert Levine and Jonathan E. Steinberg created the television series Black Sails. Toby Stephens played the lead role of Captain Flint, and the show also featured Hannan New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Toby Schmitz, Clara Paget, Winston Chong, Tom Hopper, Zach McGowan, and Andre Jacobs.

‘Black Sails’ Is Perfect for Any ‘Spartacus’ Fan


Starz

While it doesn’t have the epic battles of Spartacus, Black Sails feels similarly exciting. Both shows blend historical detail with a compelling and dramatic story, focusing on pirates constantly struggling to survive and gain power.

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When Black Sails premiered in 2014, it was well-received by critics. It currently has an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences seem to love it even more, giving it an 84% score. While the first season was enjoyable, the show really hit its stride in Season 2, achieving a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer raved about the series, saying:

I’m really enjoying this season – it’s even better than the first! The show has improved with more action, intense violence, and surprising betrayals. Overall, it feels like a pirate version of Game of Thrones, and I’m loving it.

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2025-12-24 21:36